Michael, Jan. City Boy.

Michael, Jan. City Boy.
Clarion see Houghton Mifflin 2009 186p 16.00 978-0-547223-10-0 ms

Sam loses his parents to AIDS in this novel about acceptance which is set in Malawi. When Sam’s aunt brings him home, he must learn to accept new surroundings, new family members, and a new life, without his parents. The reader is reminded of Sylvia Plath’s, The Bell Jar, in Jan Michael’s, City Boy, due to the theme. In both novels, children must accept the death of a loved one. There are pain, confusion and fear in both novels as well. That is where the similarity disappears. Author, Jan Michael, has chosen Africa as the setting, a poor but proud family in the supportive role and a plot that is compelling. City dweller, Sam, is taken in by his aunt after his parents die of AIDS. His only mementos are a photograph of his parents and his blue sneakers. Both symbolize the life which he must leave as well as his new life. The “Disease”, as AIDS is called, has left Aunt Mercy single, with a family of 4 to support. She has dedicated her life to the children, even refusing to marry the carpenter because she knows that to do so might spread the “Disease” yet again. Instead, she welcomes Sam, teaches him the value of sharing, the importance of family, and the necessity of looking forward after tragedy. She loves him and patiently waits for him to accept his new surroundings. Throughout the book, we feel Sam’s pain, the pain of loss. The descriptions of Malawi are beautiful. The theme is universal. The vocabulary is rich and authentic. As a cultural study, City Boy presents a unique story in a unique setting that leaves the reader a good deal more knowledgeable about the challenges of rural African life. There is one punctuation error. On page 84, second paragraph, there should be a period after “she would shut up the dog first.” Squaresky, Martha

Chanda's Wars by Allan Stratton

Stratton, Allan. Chanda’s Wars.
Harper Collins/Tempest, 2008, $18.99, 384p, 978-0-06-087264-9
Conflict-Fiction
Continuing the story of Chanda from the title Chanda’s Secrets, the African teen is now caring for her little brother and sister after her mother dies from AIDS in their fictional sub-Saharan country. She travels to her mother’s village to visit her family, including her grandparents and aunt who disavowed and turned away her mother when she was dying. Chanda doesn’t really want to go, but is going to make peace among the family. While she is there, her family arranges a marriage for this independent young woman. She flips out about this and runs off to the bush. Meanwhile, the rebels are invading the countryside, and kidnap her whole family, including her brother and sister. Her aunt is killed and her siblings are forced to become child soldiers. Chanda eventually teams up with the young man to whom she was to marry to rescue Soly and Iris, as well as his brother who was also kidnapped. The situations become frightening as they hunt the evil Mandiki and his rebel faction. Whereas Chanda’s Secrets focused on the problem of AIDS, this newer title focuses on the crisis of child soldiers when her siblings are kidnapped. Horrific situations make this a book best suited for grades 8 and above. Those who read the previous book will definitely want to read this title. TW